Word Origin & History

ellipse 1656 (implied in ellpitical), from Fr. ellipse, from L. ellipsis "ellipse," also, "a falling short, deficit," from Gk. elleipsis (see ellipse), because the conic section of the cutting plane makes a smaller angle with the base than does the side of the cone, hence, a "falling short." First applied by Apollonius of Perga (3c. B.C.E.).

Example Sentences for ellipse

These marks will then represent the diameter of the ellipse across its major axis.

It is not allowed to move exactly in an ellipse, nor is the earth exactly in the focus.

Now it is remarkable that this apparent path is still an ellipse.

These points are your centers for scribing the long sides of the ellipse.

The other two being intersected at an angle, will each be an ellipse.

Is the orbit that of an ellipse, or a circle, or a parabola?

The earth's orbit is an ellipse, one of the foci of which is occupied by the sun.

Man forms the idea of an ellipse, and ascertains the laws of ellipses.

The ellipse described by the planet is consequently not invariable.

From the observations of the planet the ellipse in which it moves can be ascertained.